Noah: Power’s Awakening
Unlike some of the other Chinese games reviewed here, Noah: Power’s Awakening shouldn’t raise any doubts on whether it classifies as an escape room, because it is 100% one. But is it your average statistical escape room? By far no!
Noah is a horror game placed in an asylum. I know, that still doesn’t sound super unique. But this asylum has one very peculiar property that makes it like none other… I won’t explicitly say what makes it so special, but you can get a clue from the full name of this game. That unusual property and the way this game makes use of it in order to create an engaging storyline and gameplay makes it one of the most creative games I’ve ever played. This storyline isn’t just something that happens “on the side”, but this game really lives by it, it’s another great example of a Chinese game developing narrative in front of our eyes. I never thought that a horror game may be that fun! It is packed with action and tension. We are not simply witnessing some cinematics – this game cleverly blends cinematics with gameplay, making players feel like they are truly a part of all this thrilling and wacky stuff going on. This game really shifted my view on escape rooms and broadened my horizon on what is possible in them!
But the creativity of the gameplay is definitely not its only distinguishing property. It is also one heck of a technological wonder! Way before I played in China I asked one of players that played it before me whether the myth of Chinese escape rooms being years ahead of western ones is true, they replied that not exactly because they just don’t see western escape rooms invest that kind of money, not even in a few years, but ever, because they don’t see how that kind of investment may ever return back. That comment stuck with me and I was very surprised to hear that the building cost of Noah was way lower than I anticipated – China somehow makes it viable :). Throughout the game there is a variety of special effects that will leave you floored and the grand finale is something that you will remember forever!
Similarly as Corrupt Muse, I was able to play this game because we had two Chinese speaking friends playing with us. However, per https://chinaescaperoom.com/room?room=%E8%AF%BA%E4%BA%9A Noah in Beijing joined the list of games that provide complimentary interpreters for foreign players :). Maybe this service is coming in other locations as well?
In 2024 it won the EGA awards (renowned Chinese awards) in the following categories: Best Escape Room of China, Best Mechanisms & Effects of China, Best Sets of Beijing, Best Escape Room of Beijing and Best Mechanisms & Effects of Beijing and I can say they are very much deserved. With all its creative storyline and theme of the game, engaging gameplay and special effects, I am glad to say that after 5 years I finally have my new favorite escape room!
NOAH is available in Shanghai, Changsha, Shenzhen and Chengdu, with a new location in Xi’an coming later.
